NEW SCOTLAND –– Starting April 16, motorists traveling along Route 85 have been taking a detour as the state’s Department of Transportation replaces a water drainage culvert beneath the road, near the intersection of Bullock Road.
Carol Breen, spokeswoman for the Department of Transportation, estimated the work would be complete in about three weeks with the road scheduled to reopen by May 7.

A detour uses Route 85A between Maple Road and New Salem Road, adding approximately two miles and an estimated five minutes to travel, said Breen.

“Businesses will be open; it might take extra time to get to them but they’re still open,” said Breen. “During the closure, all properties in the area will remain accessible to residents and emergency responders, but no travel through the project site will be allowed until the road is officially reopened,” she added.

Work at the site involves the routine replacement of an aging water drainage pipe and culvert, said Breen.